aiwan has recently been struck by a devastating earthquake with a magnitude of 7.4 that damaged buildings and roadways. According to reports, it was the most powerful earthquake in almost twenty-five years, following the 7.6-magnitude earthquake that occurred in this country in 1999 and killed thousands of people.
(Photo : Pexels/ Serkan Gönültaş)
Damages Caused By 7.4 Magnitude Earthquake in Taiwan
On Wednesday morning, Apr. 3, Taiwan was struck by a 7.4-magnitude earthquake, the most violent earthquake recorded in the past 25 years. Approximate preliminary assessments indicated that the seismic event, which occurred at 7:58 a.m. near the coast of Hualien County, caused substantial destruction to infrastructure, more than fifty injuries, and the loss of at least one life.
As per the Central Weather Administration (CWA), the earthquake's epicenter was 25 kilometers south-southeast of Hualien County Hall, at a depth of 15.5 kilometers. Also, a tsunami advisory has been issued in response to a 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck Taiwan. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre has stated that the tsunami threat has largely gone; nonetheless, people may continue experiencing aftershocks over the following three to four days.
Moreover, the seismic event was documented in numerous videos, which depicted terrifying scenarios that the intense shockwaves induced. After the earthquake, several multi-story structures in Taiwan were severely damaged or dangerously skewed to the point where they were collapsing. The first level of another five-story structure in Hualien, which has a low population density, appeared severely damaged, while the other floors were tilted at a 45-degree angle. There were reports of tiles falling from older buildings and some modern office complexes in Taipei, the capital of Taiwan.
Thus, amid ongoing aftershocks, schools sent children to sports fields and provided them with protective yellow headgear to protect them from possible falling objects. Subway and train service were suspended throughout the 23 million-person island, except in Taipei, where a recently opened above-ground line created a partial separation.
On the other hand, the earthquake alerted authorities in China and Japan, which are located nearby; nevertheless, there have been no reports of injuries. Yoshimasa Hayashi, the Chief Cabinet Secretary of Japan, strongly recommended that people living in the Okinawa region remain on safe ground until all tsunami alerts were canceled.
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Number of Deaths and Injuries
Since the initial earthquake, the region has experienced a multitude of aftershocks, one of which was a magnitude 6.5 that occurred nearby. As mentioned, approximately 70 individuals were rescued from tunnels close to Hualien City after they became stuck. However, 80 individuals are still trapped in a mining region.
A fire service in Taiwan reported that the earthquake claimed the lives of at least nine individuals. As mentioned, falling rocks accounted for the majority of the fatalities, including four individuals who were injured within Taroko National Park. One person was also killed in the damaged residential building.
Furthermore, at least 1,011 people were injured due to this devastating earthquake. It reportedly disrupted phone networks, so the authorities lost communication with 50 hotel employees traveling in minibusses in the park. Only three of the workers were able to make their way to the hotel on foot, while the other workers were unable to escape the situation. It was estimated that another twenty tourists were also stranded in the area.
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